By now we’re used to consuming media whenever and wherever we want it. Amazon zaps books to our Kindle. Netflix sends movies to our tablet or TV. Everything is endlessly available.

So it seems almost ironic that some of the most cutting-edge entries in the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival will be nearly impossible to see after the festival’s weeklong run, which starts Thursday at the Fleur Cinema and Cafe. Unless they’re picked up by a distributor, most of the indie films are no more accessible than a one-time meal or concert.

“This is a chance to see some beautiful material, and it may be your only opportunity,” the festival’s artistic director, Kimberly Busbee, said.

Now in its 11th year, the Wild Rose is the oldest annual film festival in the state, and each year it generates a little more buzz. A jury chose this year’s 45 selections from more than 400 submissions from around the world. Last year the jury chose just 30.

“The quality has bumped up significantly,” Busbee said. “People are making better films, with better production values, better stories, better acting — just better in general.”

The festival’s website has a complete schedule of screenings and workshops, but Busbee suggested a few highlights that are coming soon to a theater near you — specifically, the Fleur Cinema and Cafe:

“The Formula,” Iowa City filmmaker Joe Clarke’s feature about a pair of engineering grad students who devise a mathematical formula to attract women. 9:05 p.m. Friday.

“Masque,” a 40-minute short about an aging prizefighter who meets a mask-maker with mysterious powers (Wilford Brimley). 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

“Thunder,” a documentary about the Canadian folk singer Ferron, who was tagged in the ’70s as “the female Bob Dylan.” 5 p.m. Nov. 10.

“Molly’s Girl,” a movie about a young woman who pretends to be involved in a lesbian relationship in order to influence her father, a conservative state senator. Busbee produced the film, which stars a handful of native Iowans: Kristina Valada-Viars (Broadway’s “August: Osage County”), Ellen Dolan (“As the World Turns”) and Emily Schweitz (“ER”). 6:35 p.m. Nov. 10 and 8:05 p.m. Nov. 12.